Versatile cover

ABSTRACT

A cover adapted to calm and comfort an infant. The cover has two panels layered on top of each other. The first panel is disposed at a substantially central position on a second panel. An outer thinner layer is defined around the periphery of the first panel and is a breathable material thin enough to provide ample ventilation to the wearer of the cover. The cover may include a fastener for attaching the cover to an object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/646,189, filed May 11, 2012; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety into this disclosure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates generally to a garment cover for infants, and more specifically to a versatile swaddle blanket cover.

BACKGROUND

In an effort to keep an infant comforted and warm, swaddling of newborns has been provided for a number of years. Most infants are typically swaddled for three to four months after birth in order to allow the baby to sleep more soundly. The snugness and binding of the arms in a swaddle is thought to be comforting to the newborn, much like the confinement of the womb. The swaddle provides a sense of security to the infant. It is also believed that pressure across the abdominal and chest area has a calming effect and is thought to relieve colic. Likewise, in a swaddle, a caregiver is able to handle and carry the infant more easily.

It is suggested that swaddling of the infant and positioning them on their back will reduce the risk of SIDS when the infant is sleeping. Overheating can contribute to an increased risk of SIDS. Unfortunately, overheating is also a risk related to swaddling since newborns have difficulties regulating their body temperature. That is, the infant can dangerously overheat and not be able to cool their body temperature down. Unfortunately, conventional swaddle designs have failed to address this problem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cover according to the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the cover.

FIG. 3 depicts another configuration for cover.

FIG. 4 illustrates a folded view of the cover.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the cover.

FIG. 6 demonstrates an enlarged application view of a fastener attached to the cover.

FIGS. 7-10 depict a method for swaddling an infant with the cover according to the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows the cover being used as a protective covering over an infant may lie.

FIGS. 12-13 illustrate the cover being utilized with an infant carrier according to the subject disclosure.

FIGS. 14-15 show the cover being implemented as a protective covering for a stroller according to the subject disclosure.

FIG. 16 depicts the cover being utilized as a burp cloth according to the subject disclosure.

FIGS. 17-18 illustrate the cover being utilized as a nursing shield according to the subject disclosure.

FIGS. 19-21 depict the cover utilized as a wearable garment according to the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cover 10. The cover 10 shown is a multi-panel construction having at least a first panel 12 and a second panel 14. The first panel 12 is attached to the second panel 14 at approximately a central position as shown in FIG. 1. The second panel 14 is substantially larger than the first panel 12.

In position, an outer layer 15 is formed that surrounds the inner first panel 12. The inner first panel 12 is layered by the second panel 14. As such, the inner portion of the cover 10 is thicker than the outer layer 15 which surrounds the first panel 12 because of the layering of the first panel 12 on top of the second panel 14 as shown in FIG. 2. As shown, the outer layer 15 of the second panel 14 is contiguously disposed completely around the first panel 12. In this case, the outer layer 15 may be thinner as it is comprised of only the thickness of the second panel 14.

In FIG. 2, although described as a first panel and a second panel, it is to be understood that the first panel 12 and the second panel 14 may independently include a one or more plurality of various additional panels. As such, a first area defined by the area of the first panel 12 layered on top of the second panel 14 will have a first combined material weight thickness associated with a first thermal property. Likewise, a second area defined by the outer layer 15 of the second panel 14, not considering the overlapping portion of the first panel 12 and second panel 14, has a second material weight thickness associated with a second thermal property, different from the first thermal property. In one instance, the second area of the outer layer 15 may have a material thickness that is thinner than the material thickness defined by the inner panel 12 area allowing the first area to keep the infant warmer while not being overly heated by the outer layer 15 portion of the cover 10 when used as a swaddle, or the like.

FIGS. 3-4 demonstrate that the shape of the first panel 12 and/or the second panel 14 may take a variety of different sizes and shapes in accordance with the cover 10 of this subject disclosure. For example, as shown, the first panel 12 in this illustration is in the shape of a cross. Although, only the first panel 12 is shown modified in shape, it is to be understood that the size or shape of either the first panel 12, or the second panel 14 may take any number of various sizes and/or shapes.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the cover 10 is folded over for use as a swaddle, the cross shape of the first panel 12 folds over into a flattened “angel-like” configuration resembling a pair of out-stretched wings 12 a, 12 b and a caped torso 12 c. The angel-like figure may serve as a positioning template for placing the infant's torso and arms onto the cover 10 to be swaddled. That is, the infant's torso may be aligned with the torso caped-shape of the angel-like torso and the infant's arms may be aligned with the extending angel-like wings.

Various material and fabrics may be used in accordance with the subject disclosure. For example, various natural and/or man-made fabrics may be employed, such as knits and woven fabrics selected from at least one of a light weight, medium weight, and/or heavy weight fabric and/or other suitable material fabric. The cover 10 can also be made from a light, stretchable material, such as elasticized cotton, muslin, fleece, blended materials and/or other suitable material. Other materials may include the use of organic and/or unbleached materials which are suitable for infant care.

Alternatively, the cover 10 may be made from sheet material. Many fabrics known in the art may be used depending on the desired characteristics such as elasticity, warmth, weight, breathability, stain resistance, absence of allergens, visual appeal and other factors. The cover may be made of a single or multiple layer material or parts of different materials. Flexible, non-fabric materials may also be used to provide special characteristics. Likewise, the various materials may be made of the same or different material weight.

The first panel 12 and the second panel 14 may be attached to each other in a variety of different ways, such as for example, by stitching with a thread, an adhesive, bonding, fusing, and/or other suitable method for attaching various material fabrics to each other in accordance with the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a rear view of the cover 10. As shown, various fasteners 17 may be employed around the peripheral edge of the cover 10. The fasteners 17 may be provided to attach the cover 10 to various objects 11, such as the handle of a stroller as shown in FIG. 6.

Although the object 11 is shown as a handle, it is to be understood that the fastener 17 may be attached at various locations of the object. Likewise, the fastener 17 may be used to attach an edge of the cover 10 to another portion of the cover 10 itself as will be described in more detail later.

A variety of different types of fasteners 17 may be employed on the cover 10. For example, the fastener 17 may be a cloth band, an elastic band, a snap connection, a hook and loop fastener connection and/or any other suitable fastener capable of securing and/or connecting the cover 10 to an object and/or to itself.

In a weave construction of the fabric for the cover 10, the first panel 12 portion may be constructed to be thicker or thinner in material weight than the second panel 14 portion of the cover 10. The finished material is preferably an ultra soft fabric so that when placed against a baby's skin, the material is extremely soft and soothing to the infant. In order to obtain a soft fabric construction, various softening processes may be applied to the fabric, such as for example, using silicon to soften the fabric, washing the material, mechanically brushing the fabric to soften the material fabric and/or any other suitable type of softening process in accordance with the subject disclosure.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate an exemplary process for swaddling an infant 8 in accordance with the subject disclosure. In particular, FIG. 7 shows the infant's arms placed downward, along the sides of the body. As shown, the cover 10 may be folded into a triangular shape forming a wider body portion 20, a narrowing left-side wing 21, a narrowing right-side wing 22 and a lower tail 23 section. In this configuration, the body of the infant 8 may be positioned substantially over the first panel 12 so that the thinner outer layer 15 of the second panel 14 is positioned around the infant 8 and the peripheral edge of the first panel 12.

The first panel 12 is located adjacent to the body of the infant 8 to provide the most coverage over the body to keep the infant 8 comfortably warm. The outer layer 15 of the second panel 14 may be comprised of a thinner construction to allow ample ventilation of the infant 8 and to prevent the infant 8 from overheating when completely swaddled.

One exemplary method of using the cover 10 may be to position the infant 8 centrally on top of the folded first panel 12 as shown in FIG. 7. A first wing, such as the left-side wing 21 shown in FIG. 8 is snugly wrapped over the torso of the infant 8 in a first direction.

In FIG. 9, the lower tail 23 portion of the cover 10 may then be snugly folded upward just below the legs of the infant 8 to comfortably, albeit firmly secure the legs of the infant 8.

In FIG. 10, the second wing, such as the right-side wing 22 is snugly wrapped back over the torso of the infant 8 in a second opposite direction. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, a substantial portion of the left-side wing 21, the right-side wing 22 and the lower tail 23 are comprised of the thinner outer layer 15. As such, when the infant 8 is wrapped in the swaddle cover 10, the thickness of the swaddle is substantially reduced outside of the location of the center first panel 12 portion so that the body temperature of the infant 8 can be better controlled. The advantage being that the thinner outer layer 15 provides ample ventilation to the infant 8 when snugly wrapped in the swaddle cover 10.

FIG. 10 portrays the infant 8 being swaddled with her arms at her side, while maintaining an even, gentle pressure across the chest and abdominal area. The snug swaddle encourages comforting support and allows the infant 8 to be less restless by minimizing any disturbing reflex jerks that can interrupt her sleep when an infant is not comfortably swaddled. Likewise, the snug swaddle can otherwise prevent a loose blanket from migrating over their face causing a risk of suffocation, or strangulation. Unlike conventional swaddles that put an infant at risk for overheating and an increased risk of SIDS, the thinner outer layer 15 of the cover 10 dramatically reduces that risk of SIDS by allowing the infant 8 to moderate their body temperature.

In accordance with this subject disclosure, the size and shape of the wings in the first panel 12 or second panel 14 may be varied. That is, the cover can be configured so that one of the wings is shorter than the other. As such, the shorter wing may be first wrapped across the infant 8, and the longer wing may then be folded over the shorter wing. A similar process can be used if both wings are of the same or similar length.

FIG. 11 illustrates the versatility of the cover 10 according to this subject disclosure. That is, the cover 10 may be employed for a variety of different purposes. For example, in FIG. 11, the cover 10 may be used as a blanket onto which an infant can explore and spend some “tummy time” in a safe, comfortable, padded and soft feeling environment. The thicker first panel 12 provides greater protection from objects disposed on the surface immediately below the cover 10 just beneath the infant 8.

FIG. 12 shows the cover 10 adapted for use with an infant carrier 11 a. According to this embodiment, the cover 10 may include an opening 18 through which a caregiver can grasp on to a handle 19 of the infant carrier 11 a unimpeded by the cover 10. Conventionally, it has been difficult to carry an infant carrier 11 a with a cloth draped there-over. This construction of the cover 10 eliminates this problem and allows the caregiver to make a more secure grip directly onto the handle 19 of the infant carrier 11.

FIG. 13 shows the cover 10 placed over the infant carrier 11 a with the handle 19 of the infant carrier 11 b protruding through the opening 18 in the cover 10. The cover 10 is situated over the infant carrier 11 a so that the first panel 12 is primarily positioned to provide the most coverage from the sun and ultraviolet rays over the infant 8 in the infant carrier 11 b. Likewise, the thinner outer layer 15 is positioned just below the first panel 12 and adapted to ventilate the space just under the cover 12. In this way, the infant 8 will be able to receive ventilated air through the thinner outer portion 15 of the cover 10, while avoiding the danger of direct sun light exposure by the sun.

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict the cover 10 being used with an infant stroller 11 b. As shown in FIGS. 5-6 and in hidden line in FIG. 14, the cover 10 may include various fasteners 17 along the edge of the cover 10. When the cover 10 is placed over the stroller 11 b, the edges of the cover 10 may be strategically positioned so that they can be secured to various locations on the stroller 11 b. For example, FIGS. 6 and 15 show the fastener 17 being secured to the handle 19 of the stroller 11 b. Other fasteners 17 may be secured to various parts of the stroller 11 b, such as near the front wheels or anywhere else on the frame of the stroller 11 b. Likewise, the cover 10 may be wrapped around the various objects so that the cover 10 is wrapped and secured back on to itself.

As mentioned above with respect to FIGS. 12-13, the cover 10 in FIGS. 14-15 may be selectively positioned over the stroller 11 b to provide the most coverage from the sun and ultraviolet rays over an infant 8 in the infant stroller 11 b. Likewise, the thinner outer layer 15 is positioned just below the first panel 12 and adapted to provide ventilation just under the first panel 12. In this way, the infant 8 is able to receive a cool breeze through the thinner surrounding outer layer 15 while avoiding the danger of direct sun light exposure.

FIG. 16 shows the cover 10 being adapted for use as a burping or shoulder blanket. In FIG. 16, the thicker first panel 12 area of the cover 10 may be positioned to cover the caregivers shoulder area just under the infant's 8 mouth to prevent any soilage onto the caregivers clothing should the infant express his food. In another embodiment, the first panel 12 may be lined with a water resistant material, such as a polymer sheet and/or other suitable water resistant material to prevent soiling across the cover 10.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the cover 10 being used as a nursing blanket. In FIG. 17, the fastener 17 may be used to conveniently tie a first end of the cover 10 back around another portion of the cover 10 to create a nursing apron covering with the cover 10.

As shown in use in FIG. 18, the cover 10 can be selectively shifted so that the darker first panel 12 strategically covers more sensitive areas of the nursing infant and mother. That is, the thicker opaque first panel 12 area can be maneuvered to cover the caregiver's chest area and to provide a level of privacy to the nursing mother and infant in a convenient and secure manner. The nursing mother can conveniently shift the cover 10 around so that they will be able to view their infant 8 nursing through the thinner outer layer 15 viewable only to them from above, while positioning the opaque first panel 12 over so that passerby's cannot see through to the nursing infant or the mothers' breast.

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the cover 10 being utilized as a wearable garment. In FIGS. 19 and 20, the cover may be wrapped as a sarong or skirt. Likewise, in FIG. 21, the cover may be worn as a dress. As mentioned before, the darker first panel 12 may be selectively positioned to privately conceal a portion of the body while the thinner outer layer 15 provides ample ventilation on warmer days.

The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A cover comprising: a first panel; and a second panel, the first panel layered on top of the second panel, wherein the first panel is disposed at substantially a central position on the second panel, the second panel defines an outer layer that is disposed around the periphery of the first panel.
 2. The cover recited in claim 1, further comprising a fastener for securing the cover to an object.
 3. The cover recited in claim 2, wherein the fastener is selected from at least one of a cloth band, an elastic band, a snap connection, and a hook and loop fastener connection.
 4. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein the second panel is comprised of a breathable material allowing ample ventilation there-through.
 5. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein the first panel and the second panel are comprised of different material weights.
 6. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein the first panel or the second panel is comprised of one or more material layers.
 7. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein the first panel identifies a location of placement for an infant to be swaddled by the cover.
 8. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein the cover is used as at least one of the following: a swaddle, an infant carrier cover, an infant placemat, a wearable garment and a burp cloth.
 9. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein: an area where the first panel is layered on top of the second panel has a first material weight thickness associated with a first thermal property; and another area defining the outer layer of the second panel has a second material weight thickness associated with a second thermal property, different from the first thermal property.
 10. The cover recited in claim 1, wherein the second panel is a breathable material.
 11. The cover recited in claim 10, wherein the outer layer is contiguously disposed completely around the first panel.
 12. An infant swaddle blanket comprising: a first panel; and a second panel, the first panel is fastened to the second panel and defines a location to position an infant, wherein the first panel is disposed at substantially a central position on the second panel, an outer layer of the second panel extends beyond the first panel defining an outer border that surrounds an outer edge of the first panel.
 13. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 12, wherein the cover includes a fastener adapted to be connected to an object.
 14. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 12, wherein the cover includes an opening through which a caregiver can grasp a handle of an infant carrier.
 15. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 12, wherein the second panel is a breathable material.
 16. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 12, wherein the outer border is contiguously disposed completely around the first panel.
 17. An infant swaddle blanket comprising: a first panel; a second panel, wherein the first panel is fastened to the second panel at substantially a central position on the second panel such that an outer layer of the second panel extends beyond the first panel defining an outer border; and a fastener.
 18. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 17, wherein the first panel and the second panel are comprised of different material weights.
 19. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 17, wherein the second panel is a breathable fabric such as cotton, and the outer border is contiguous and completely surrounds an outer edge of the first panel.
 20. The infant swaddle blanket recited in claim 17, wherein: an area where the first panel is layered on top of the second panel has a first material weight thickness associated with a first thermal property; and another area defined by the outer border of the second panel has a second material weight thickness associated with a second thermal property, different from the first thermal property. 